Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Fortunately, a person can take many actions or efforts to reduce the negative impact of adverse childhood
experiences. These "protective factors are conditions or attributes that, when present in families and
communities, increase the well-being of children and families and reduce the likelihood of maltreatment."
When adverse experiences can not be prevented, protective factors can insulate children from the most
devastating effects of ACEs and support resilience in their systems.
MAKE EYE GIVE 20 SECONDS LOOK FOR THE SAY "SORRY" HELPS KIDS AND
CONTACT HUGS GOOD ADULTS
EXPRESS THEIR
FEELINGS
One of the easiest A 20-second hug can When someone has When we put aside
ways to show love to increase levels of experienced pain or feelings of shame and Talking about your
oxytocin (the love trauma, it is easy to take responsibility and feelings validates that
your kids is by giving
focus on the bad and
them eye contact. hormone) constantly scan for make things right with what you are
Because of this, the reduce blood danger. However, someone we love or experiencing is real and
more eye contact pressure and there is a lot of good to care about, we — and means something to
cortisol (the stress look for too. Try being our relationships — you. It also allows you
received, the more
hormone) grateful for all the little are better for it. to respond
kids feel love. and big things in your
Eye contact is increase happiness life. Apologies are appropriately and build
powerful and helps lower stress powerful. They bring deeper, more
build a strong, loving improve us together. meaningful
relationships and relationships with your
relationship between
connection friends, family, and
kids and parents.
loved ones.
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ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, refer to a range of stressful events or circumstances that children
may experience during their childhood, such as all types of abuse and neglect, including parental substance
use, incarceration, and domestic violence. ACEs can also include situations that may cause trauma for a child,
such as having a parent with a mental illness or being part of a family going through a divorce. These negative
experiences can tremendously impact various health conditions, including those of mental disorders.
ABU
SE
Physical
Emotional
H O
Divorce
Incarcerated Relative
Domestic Violence Physical
Substance Abuse Emotional
CT
SF Y
LE
UN
CT E G
IO N
N
A landmark study in the 1990s found a significant relationship between the number of ACEs a person
experienced and a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood, including poor physical and mental health,
substance use, and risky behaviors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). About the CDC-Kaiser ACE study: Major findings. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html.
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THE ACE PYRAMID
The ACE pyramid helps explain how ACEs are strongly related to developing risk factors for disease and
disability throughout a lifespan. As the number of Adverse Childhood Experiences in a child's life increases, so
does their risk of these outcomes.
DEATH
EARLY
DEATH
DISEASE AND
DISABILITY, SOCIAL
PROBLEMS
ADOPTION OF HEATH-RISK
BEHAVIORS
DISRUPTED NEURODEVELOPMENT
CONCEPTION
ACEs don’t define your life or you. It is important to understand that there is an association and not causation
of ACEs to later health outcomes. However, it outlines why work needs to happen to support young people
who have experienced adversity and trauma.
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ACE'S AND THE BRAIN
Early nurturing, responsive interactions build health brain architecture that serves as the foundation for health
and well-being. Frequent and prolonged exposure to adverse childhood experiences can create toxic stress
which can damage the developing brain of a child.
Increases difficulty in
making new
friendships and
Increases stress maintaing
hormones' which relationships.
affects the body's
ability to fight
infections.
Cognition Cognition
Regulation
Regulation
Survival Survival
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